12 days Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary
The most popular Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary is 12 days.
In 12 days, you’ll fly to Lukla, trek to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar, return to Lukla, and catch a flight to Kathmandu. And in between, you’ll experience a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in the Everest region. You’ll walk 135 km in twelve days, gain 2800 meters of altitude, and confront Mt. Everest up close from Kala Patthar.
This blog includes everything you should know before planning the Everest Base Camp Trek 12 Days Itinerary. With photo guides and complete information, you’ll get comprehensive information on the itinerary of EBC Trek.
Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary- Lukla to Kala Patthar
Day 1: Flight from Kathmandu/Manthali to Lukla (2,860 meters, 25 minutes). Trek from Lukla to Phakding (2,610 meters, 6.2 km, 4 hours)
Everest Base Camp Trek 12 days begins as you fly from Kathmandu to Lukla or from Manthali to Lukla. In March and September, the flights to Lukla depart from Kathmandu. However, due to the surge in Everest region trekkers, during April, May, October, and November, all flights to Lukla operate from Manthali Airport.
The expected flight time to Lukla from either airport is 20-25 minutes.
The entire flight is scenic, with a beautiful mountain panorama. Nearing Lukla, the mountains of Everest region appear on the far left. On a clear weather day, the mountain range and hills around Lukla look scenic.
For many, the landing at Lukla airport can be scary, thrilling, and exciting. If the wind speed remains gentle, you’ll experience a relaxed landing at the world’s most dangerous airport.
After landing in Lukla, you’ll stop at a tea house for lunch. Since walking to Phakding takes 4-5 hours, lunch at Lukla fuels the body for the 6.2 km walk.
You must purchase a Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit before exiting Lukla. However, your trek guide purchases this permit if you’re on this trek with us. It’s one of two essential Everest Base Camp Trek Permits for this trek.
The route to Phakding has beautiful Sherpa villages and serene rhododendron forests. The beautiful settlements en route keep you engaged with the local Sherpa lifestyles. The appealing visuals of prayer flags, Monasteries, Chhortens, and Wheels calm you.
Phakding is more like a small mountain town with plenty of tea houses. And all these offer affluent amenities. You’ll settle for overnight at the best available tea house.
Day 2: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440 meters, 10.8 km, 6 hours)
You’ll start the trek after breakfast at the tea house in Phakding. Today, you’ll walk 10.8 km for 6 hours to Namche Bazaar. Trek route past Phakding trails to TokTok, Benkar, Monjo, and Jorsale. En route, you’ll cross three suspension bridges over the cascading Dudh Koshi River, a significant river in Khumbu.
The route between TokTok-Monjo is tiring as there are few steep ascends.
Three hours of peaceful walk takes you to Monjo.
Monjo is well known for its Sagarmatha National Park entry/exit checkpost. You must purchase a Sagarmatha National Park entry permit at the checkpost office. Also, if you’ve purchased this permit in Kathmandu, you must check the permit here.
A fifteen-minute walk from Monjo is Jorsale. It’s a small but beautiful site filled with tea houses. Before trekking to Namche, you’ll stop here for rest, lunch, and snacks.
Past Jorsale, you’ll cross a suspension bridge, walk along the beautiful shore, and ascend cemented stairs to Larcha Dovan.
The towering Hillary Bridge over Dudh Koshi River at Larcha Dovan catches your breath. The wind current blowing the prayer flags on either side of the bridges mesmerizes the crossing. A 360-degree video of yours at this bridge or a photo here can be a lifelong souvenir of Everest Trek.
Fancy Bungee Jumping in Nepal? While on Everest Base Camp Trekking and other Everest region trekking, you can now bungee jump. A lower suspension bridge at Larcha Dovan is preparing a grand launch of bungee jumping.
Past Larcha Dovan, the route to Namche Bazar is a gradual climb. For many, this climb is extremely tiring. There are a few stopping places where you can rest and rehydrate.
The two-hour uphill ascend from the Hillary Bridge takes you to the beautiful town of Khumbu, Namche Bazaar.
You’ll settle in for overnight at a tea house in Namche.
Day 3: Rest day at Namche Bazaar. Acclimatization hike to Hotel Everest View (3,880 meters, 4 hours)
It’s best to rest for a day at Namche. You’ll hike to Hotel Everest View as a part of acclimatization. Today, you’ll reach 3,880 meters, an altitude nearly 400 meters higher than Namche Bazaar.
The breakfast will be at a tea house in Namche. After breakfast, you’ll visit the Sagarmatha National Park area. It sits at the northeast end of Namche. You’ll get the first glimpse of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam from the national park area.
From Namche, you’ll make a steep ascend to Syabgboche airport. However, past Syangboche, the trail is flat and scenic but windy.
This hotel is an excellent viewpoint of the Everest region. From the courtyard, sipping a warm masala tea, you can view Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kongde, Tawoche, Khumbila, and other mountains. Those who can’t trek to the base camp of Everest hike here to see the Everest panorama.
If trekking isn’t your thing but you still fancy seeing Mt. Everest from a close distance, join our Everest View Trek in 2024.
After sightseeing from the hotel, you’ll return to Namche Bazaar. However, if you want to learn more about the waste management of the Everest Region, we suggest you visit Sagarmatha Next. It’s an innovative approach to reducing solid waste from the Everest region in a creative approach. Also, they sell elegant handcrafts made by international artists out of solid waste collected from mountains like Everest and Lhotse. Oh, there’s another thing you can enjoy here. You can watch Experience Everest Expedition on the VR headset for free.
After returning to your tea house, you’ll have the rest of the day of free time. If you want to explore more of the town, here’s our blog that might help you to spend the afternoon at Namche Bazaar.
You’ll have lunch, dinner, and overnight accommodation at the tea house in Namche Bazaar.
Day 4: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche/Debuche (3,860 meters, 9.6 km, 5 hours)
With a day of acclimatization and rest at Namche, you’ll be in good shape to keep up your 12-day Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary.
Today, you’ll trek from Namche to one of the most beautiful places in the Everest region, Tengboche. Moreover, you’ll also visit the sacred Tengboche Monastery.
Leaving Namche, you’ll trek through a road-like route to Sansa. From here, the trail descends to Pungi Thanka, crosses a suspension bridge, and climbs to Tengboche for two hours. You’ll stop for lunch at Pungi Thenka.
The picturesque Mt. Ama Dablam and Mt. Thamserku accompany your walk all day.
Before ascending to Tengboche, you must check in at the checkpost at the end of Pungi Thenka.
Tengboche is an ideal location for mountain panorama. The largest Buddhist Monastery of Khumbu, Tengboche Monastery, in Tengboche, is worth a visit. If you plan Everest Base Camp Trek in November, you’ll experience the Mani Rimdu Festival at this monastery. Trekkers even plan the Everest Mani Rimdu Festival Trek to experience this festival and trek to the base camp of Everest and Kala Patthar.
Because of the appealing panorama, Tengboche is a trekker’s favorite place to stay overnight. And due to this, tea houses here get filled early. Also, there aren’t many tea houses at Tengboche. Hence, it makes tea houses occupied early.
Hence, another thirty-minute walk from Tengboche Monastery takes you to Debuche. Tea houses like the Good Luck Hotel at Debuche accommodate more than 150 trekkers at once. Also, their twin sharing rooms with attached bathrooms are spacious and hygienic.
Day 5: Trek from Debuche to Dingboche (4,410 meters, 10 km, 5 hours)
After breakfast at the tea house, you’ll start today’s trek to Dingboche. The five-hour walk from Debuche to Dingboche is scenic, easy, and adventurous. You’ll stop at Somare for lunch.
After you leave Debuche, you’ll trek through the rhododendron and pine forest for 30 minutes. A suspension bridge over Imja Khola (River) with a beautiful view of Ama Dablam leaves you in awe. However, the mesmerizing sight of Ama Dablam remains throughout the day.
An hour-long walk from Imja Khola Bridge takes you to the beautiful Pangboche village. The trekking route from Imja River Bridge to Pangboche is well-maintained and best on the entire trek.
Another one-hour slow-paced scenic walk from Pangboche takes you to Somare. It’s an ideal lunch stop. However, those who trek at a quick pace even reach Dingboche by lunchtime.
As you resume the walk past Somare, the wind current makes you feel cold. You’ll walk next to the Imja River, cross another stream, gradually climb for thirty minutes, and hike on flat terrain till Dingboche.
Dingboche looks more like a town that hosts plenty of tea houses. You’ll settle in at the best available tea house of your choice. However, we recommend you reserve the tea house before starting the trek during April-May and October-November.
Evening at Dingboche becomes captivating with the sunset colors over Ama Dablam and Nuptse.
Day 6: Rest day at Dingboche. Acclimatization hike to Nangkartshang Peak (5,083 meters)
A day of rest at Dingboche is a second acclimatization stop on 12 12-day Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary. A day of acclimatization here guarantees 100% Everest Base Camp Trek success. You’ll reach the base camp without experiencing any signs of mountain sickness.
Everyone on EBC Trek hikes to the 5,083-meter Nangkartshang Peak to acclimatize in the Dingboche. The mesmerizing panorama from this peak leaves you in awe. From 5,000 meters altitude of this peak, you’ll get the precious sight of Mt. Makalu, the fifth-highest mountain in the world. Further, you’ll see the unique face of Mt. Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Island Peak, Twoche, and several other mountains.
Our Suggestion: Watch your steps while hiking down from Nangkartshang Peak. The loose soil and pebbles make the trail slippery and can cause severe damage to your knees and ankles.
Other hiking destinations in Dingboche are Chhukung Ri and Island Peak Base Camp. However, it takes an entire day to trek to Chukung and return to Dingboche.
You’ll have lunch, dinner, and overnight accommodation at the tea house in Dingboche.
Day 7: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche (4,940 meters, 6.6 km, 4-5 hours)
The trek from Dingboche to Lobuche is easy until you climb Thugla Pass. And past Thugla Pass, the walk to Lobuche is easy. However, it’s also the risky section where most trekkers get altitude sickness.
As usual, you’ll start the trek after having breakfast at a tea house in Dingboche. After leaving Dingboche, you’ll walk on an easy route to Thugla. You’ll walk alongside Mt. Cholatse for two hours till Thugla.
There are only three tea houses in Thugla, but they serve lunch for every trekker, even during the rush hour.
After lunch, you’ll climb the most tiring section, Thugla Pass. It is the memorial site of deceased ones in the Everest region. The memorial remembers the brave climbers who died while climbing mountains in the Everest region and never made it back.
From the memorial, Lobuche is another one-hour slow-paced walk. You’ll see the front faces of Nuptse and Pumori as you near Lobuche.
The tea houses in Lobuche are adequate for getting a twin-sharing room even during peak Everest Trekking.
Evening at Lobuche is worth beholding the golden-colored Nuptse while the sun sets.
You’ll settle in at a tea house for overnight accommodation.
Day 8: Trek from Lobuche to Gorak Shep – Everest Base Camp- Gorak Shep
On the 8th day of the 12-day Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary, you’ll finally step into the base camp of Mt. Everest. It sits at an altitude of 5,364 meters. And after visiting the base camp, you’ll return to Gorak Shep, at 5,164 meters. You’ll spend overnight at a tea house in Gorak Shep.
But first, you must trek three hours from Lobuche to Gorak Shep.
After leaving Lobuche, you’ll walk on flat terrain for an hour. However, the arduous Khumbu Glacier moraine starts after climbing a cliff. The more boulders and uneven terrain slows the walking pace. Hence, a slow-paced walk to Gorak Shep is a must and the best to be safe and trek without getting altitude sickness.
The glimpses of beautiful mountains get mesmerizing as you near Gorak Shep. However, crossing Khumbu Glacier en route is challenging and keeps you focused more on the walk.
You’ll stop at a tea house for lunch and leave your backpack in a room. After lunch, you’ll trek to Everest Base Camp for three hours. The base camp is 3.3 km distance from Gorak Shep.
You’ll have a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the base camp, witnessing the world’s highest mountain and capturing beautiful photos and videos. Also, you’ll see beautiful Khumbu icefall and glaciers. Don’t forget to capture your photograph at the Everest Base Camp landmark stone.
You’ll only see the tip of Mt. Everest from the base camp. However, you must trek to Kala Patthar at 5,644 meters for a wholesome view of Everest and Lhotse.
You’ll return to the tea house for dinner and overnight sleep.
Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary – Return Trek to Lukla
Day 9: Trek from Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar. Return to Gorak Shep. Trek to Pheriche/Pangboche (5,644 meters, 4 hours)
If you want to trek to Kala Patthar for sunrise, you must start the hike around 4 am. The route is arduous, with boulders, ice, and cold.
Upon reaching Kala Patthar, you’ll get a panoramic view of Lhotse, Everest, Nuptse, Pumori, and other mountains.
Our recommendation: Carry a camera with you to Kala Patthar for the best photographs.
You’ll trek down to Gorak Shep for breakfast and prepare to return to Pheriche. You’ll stop for lunch at Lobuche/Thugla and descend to Pheriche. In total, including the hike to Kala Patthar and down to Pheriche, you’ll walk for 8 hours.
Tea houses at Pheriche serve the best accommodation and meals. However, if you can continue the trek, you can trek down to Pangboche.
Day 10: Trek from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar (3,440 meters, 20 km, 8 hours)
The trek from Pheriche to Namche takes you farther from Everest and other mountains. For the most part, you’ll be descending. But, ascending from Punge Thanka to Sansa is tiring.
After breakfast at Pheriche, you’ll start the return walk to Namche. First, you’ll stop at Somare for a tea break. From Somare, you’ll hike another hour to Pangboche. Another one-hour walk from Pangboche takes you to Debuche/Tengboche, where you can stop for lunch.
From Tengboche, a one-hour descent hike takes you to Punge Thanka. From Punge Thanka, a three-hour trek takes you to Namche Bazaar. Upon reaching Namche, the mountains hide behind the clouds and towering hills. But still, Kongde and Thamserku remain visible from Namche.
A celebration awaits at Namche as you successfully trek to Everest Base Camp.
Day 11: Trek from Namche to Lukla (17.9 km, 7 hours)
Returning to Lukla from Namche takes seven hours. For most of the route, you’ll be descending. But, the gradual ascend after Ghat Village till Lukla can get tiring.
You must check out at Sagarmatha National Park checkpost at Monjo.
You can stop at TokTok or Phakding for lunch.
Dinner and overnight stay at a tea house in Lukla.
Day 12: Lukla to Kathmandu flight (25 minutes)
On the 12th day of the Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary, you’ll take a flight back to Manthali or Kathmandu airport.
As mentioned, you’ll get a Lukla to Kathmandu flight if trekking to the Everest region, including base camp in March and September.
However, you’ll get the Lukla to Manthali flight during April-May and October-November. And if you land at Manthali airport, you must take a 5-hour drive back to Kathmandu.
If you’re on EBC Trek with us, our representative will pick you up from the airport and drop you at the hotel.
Why 12 days Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary is best?
Recently, there has been a trend of Short Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return. Trekkers tend to complete the trek in 8 days with a helicopter flyout from Gorak Shep.
Compared to the eight days, trekking for 12 days seems longer. But trekking for 12 days is the most affordable one you’ll find. The shorter itineraries involve helicopter flights that cost thousands of dollars.
Furthermore, the Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek is 20 days longer with expensive trip costs.
Hence, the Everest Base Camp Trek 12-day itinerary is best for budget trekkers. It’s affordable, gives plenty of time to trek, two acclimatization stops, and flexibility.
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Affordable and flexible
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Plenty of acclimatization stops
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Slow paced walk each day, best for adaptation with altitude
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A feat of accomplishment of walking entire route on foot
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Experience Sherpa hospitality
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Wholesome adventure
Want a tailored Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary for Spring 2024?
Feel free to contact us for a tailored itinerary for EBC Trek in 2024. Our expert trek leader will handcraft the Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary as you wish. Please write us at mailtoneptrek@gmail.com. Or message us at +9779818553880 (WhatsApp, 24/7 support) if you want to talk with our expert.
Our tailored itinerary ensures the utmost comfort and wholesome adventure.
